New students experience care and compassion at the Sunnyside Campus

Gauteng Region extended the institutional student orientation week by a day to introduce new students to the support services offered in the region and to take them on a guided tour of the facilities where these services are offered, namely, the Counselling and Career Development Unit, Technology Enhanced Learning Unit (computer laboratories), Facilitation of Learning Unit and the Library.

Makgabo Ngoepe, Chairperson: OHS Committee at the Regional Hub addressing students on OHS before embarking on the campus tour

Students braved the cold and wet conditions and arrived in their numbers. Moved by motherly compassion for the students who sat through long presentations, Mosima Tefo, Regional Academic Coordinator at the Regional Hub in Sunnyside and coordinator of the induction day, suggested to her colleagues that they provide snacks to the students.

Belinda Schoombie and Lerato Sibiya (Tutorial Officers) serving students

In the true spirit of Unisan care, her colleagues embraced the idea, voluntarily contributed money and got down to preparing sandwiches and beverages for the students.

Sekgopu Tshangwane (Digital Learning Advisor) serving students in a computer lab

The students were pleasantly surprised with grab-and-go snacks as they were leaving the presentation rooms for the campus tour. The generosity was also extended to students in the computer labs who were activating their myUnisa and myLife accounts.

Freshmen orientations are necessary in ensuring that students are familiar with the frequently used and relied upon services offered by the university, in addition, they get to learn the various sections and facilities necessary for their adaptation into the Open Distance and e-Learning academic environment.  

*By Maphoshane Mary Marodi, Communication and Marketing Officer, Gauteng Region